PREFACE. 



To the majority of sportsmen love of nature 

 is the principal element in the love of hunting. 

 The pleasure of exercising skill in the finding 

 and capture of game is really secondary to this, 

 and still more subordinate is the flavor or size of 

 the game. Thousands enjoy a stroll with the 

 dog, out of season, almost as well as the real 

 hunt. 



To please such, a book should be made up of 

 selected charms of the field. 



These are, first and foremost, the nature of 

 the game, its action and behavior. The mere 

 form or size is of no more consequence than 

 the flavor. Why the action of certain birds will 

 give man more deHght than that of others is 

 one of nature's secrets. We can only say it is 

 charming; and describe it as we know it. 



